Don’t wait until a disaster strikes to think about a plan.
One big mistake most small business owners make is not thinking about a disaster recovery plan before it happens. While network downtime is most commonly caused by human error, like mismanaging devices or the wrong cable being severed or mistreated. Weather and natural disasters cause their fair share of outages as well.
Unfortunately, most enterprises are ill-equipped to deal with the ramifications of data loss and downtime. 93% of companies without a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plan in place who suffer a major data disaster are out of business within one year.
Not to worry, CTTS is here to help. Here are four essential tips to get you started developing your business’s disaster recovery plan:
1. Talk to Your Managed Service Provider.
This is your go-to, and where to begin the conversation. A managed service provider can provide a risk assessment, and then offer solutions to save you from data loss. Think of the spreadsheet you have been working with for months. It would be a shame if it were gone forever. How about that project you and the team have been assigned with a rapidly approaching deadline? It would be a waste of time and a hassle to recreate if the file became corrupt or were lost. In any case, a Backup and Data Recovery (BDR) solution can help alleviate these stressors.
2. Be a Part of the Conversation.
You know better than anyone what files you need access to for a successful day at work. Be involved in the process of backing up your data. Then, should your company fall victim to ransomware or data loss, you will know how to respond. Your managed service provider will ultimately be responsible for recovering your data and maintaining your backups, of course, but knowing how to access your files while they get you back up and running may require an extra step. When the disaster recovery solution is put into place, there may also be some training available to you from your managed service provider that should prove helpful.
3. Know That You Are Protected.
Call your managed service provider or walk into your manager’s office and ask, “If we fall victim to ransomware, or our company files are lost, what do we do?” With this simple question, you can prevent costly downtime and data loss. With one question, you can protect your office and coworkers from being locked out of your files indefinitely. Asking this question can help you establish if you actually do have an effective disaster recovery plan. Gently remind your manager that when it comes to a data disruption, it’s not a question of if but when.
4. Save Your Work.
This sounds easy and like a no-brainer, but with my years in IT, you have no idea how saving work sometimes falls by the wayside. Even if your machine is being backed up, and your files are being protected, you still need to save often. Should disaster hit and files are in need of being recovered, your progress will be lost if you haven’t saved your work. There is always a risk of losing some work in the event of a disaster, but if you save often, the risk decreases ten-fold.
Do you have questions about your company's long term data security? If you would like to learn more about backup and disaster recovery solutions specifically tailored to your business needs, let's talk: (512) 388-5559. CTTS is a complete technology solution provider and the leading IT Support and Managed Service Provider in the Central Texas area. We're located in Georgetown, TX, but we service all of Central Texas and the surrounding areas including Round Rock and Austin. Learn more about CTTS today!
By Josh Wilmoth
CEO, Central Texas Technology Solutions